Before this year Olynyk used to play power forward at Gonzaga and sometimes shooting forward. In high school he was a guard at one time. His role in the Bulldogs current offence is interchangeable with Elias Harris. They mainly work the high low to great effect with KO and Harris playing the entry position or the low post. At times Olynyk is on the floor with the 7 foot 1, 305 pound Karnowski.

I think number 14 in the lottery is a reach for KO. Gonzaga's performance in the NCAA tournament will determine whether the Bulldogs and Olynyk are over rated or not. He could decide to play another year of NCAA hoops even though he has graduated.

Hey guys, first time ever posting here yet long time viewer. I was wondering what the republics thoughts would be of the raptors trying to trade into this draft and pick up Mr. Olynyk. I mean yeah we have the obvious argument that he is Canadian but along with this comes the fact that he is seemingly a very mature individual, as well it's hard to argue with his season numbers of 17.7 points, seven rebounds and almost two assists a game. For a center that shoots 66.8 percent from the field and an a cool 37.5 percent from three he is intriguing. Put all that together with him showing he has the capacity to learn and improve his game I'd think he could be an imposing feature with Jonas. Coachability, talent an hard work, sounds like a fan favourite with more upside that we've seen in the past( ala Reggie Evans). Any way cheers and thanks to any others to add to the conversation.

Ask yourself this: When have the Raptors ever targeted a player so specifically that they're willing to buy a pick, negotiate with other teams around them to get a feel of what they're doing, and then select that player? Never. We aren't the San Antonio Spurs or one of those clubs that works the draft. We basically pick where we are, or trade the pick.

Drafting/targeting players requires a serious amount of effort, research, coordination, and skill, none of which the Raptors draft team has. They pick where they're slotted, no more no less. At most, they'll switch second-round picks or something to save some money here and there.

Besides, I don't think BC views adding a rookie as a step towards making the playoffs. He's probably glad he doesn't have a pick this year.

He has the highest PER in the NCAA right now. Solid player but Raps don't need another 5.

Sorry, not to pick on you specifically, but there needs to be some kind of forum filter that automatically deletes posts that contain the phrase... the "Raps don't need" as it pertains to the draft. This kind of 'draft for need' thinking is why we now have posts saying we should have traded Terrence Ross, the so-called guy we drafted 'for need' instead of Drummond, who we actually could use right now or traded instead of Ed Davis.

Ask yourself this: When have the Raptors ever targeted a player so specifically that they're willing to buy a pick, negotiate with other teams around them to get a feel of what they're doing, and then select that player? Never. We aren't the San Antonio Spurs or one of those clubs that works the draft. We basically pick where we are, or trade the pick.

Drafting/targeting players requires a serious amount of effort, research, coordination, and skill, none of which the Raptors draft team has. They pick where they're slotted, no more no less. At most, they'll switch second-round picks or something to save some money here and there.

Besides, I don't think BC views adding a rookie as a step towards making the playoffs. He's probably glad he doesn't have a pick this year.

And lest we forget that the best player drafted in the Bargnani draft was a purchased pick (Rondo from PHX).

No offence to Kelly Olynyk who's having a great year. But if the Raps were to trade for a 1st round pick this year the guy that i would take is Myck Kabongo OR Kevin Pangos(if he declare). Pangos would be my first choice though.

Speaking of Kevin Pangos, i know we don't have a chance of drafting Andrew Wiggins next year. But Pangos is the guy that i would love the Raps to trade for in this year's draft or next year(whenever he comes out). He's a big time player.

Another PG that i would love the Raps to target whether he comes out this year or next year is Aaron Craft.

Sorry, not to pick on you specifically, but there needs to be some kind of forum filter that automatically deletes posts that contain the phrase... the "Raps don't need" as it pertains to the draft. This kind of 'draft for need' thinking is why we now have posts saying we should have traded Terrence Ross, the so-called guy we drafted 'for need' instead of Drummond, who we actually could use right now or traded instead of Ed Davis.

Ok let's put some context on that. If it was Noel, I would say sure, draft that guy in a second. But drafting a late lottery pick on a 5 doesn't make sense to me.

You bring up Drummond as an example. He will probably have a better career than Ross, but I wouldn't guarantee it. The thing is the Pistons have the same problem though. As of right now Drummond and Monroe have terrible adjusted +/- when they play together because they're too big and play the same position.

Edit: It's not even that I would be totally against drafting this dude. It's more that the RAps would have to give something up to get a pick for someone that would back up JV.

Ask yourself this: When have the Raptors ever targeted a player so specifically that they're willing to buy a pick, negotiate with other teams around them to get a feel of what they're doing, and then select that player? Never. We aren't the San Antonio Spurs or one of those clubs that works the draft. We basically pick where we are, or trade the pick.

Drafting/targeting players requires a serious amount of effort, research, coordination, and skill, none of which the Raptors draft team has. They pick where they're slotted, no more no less. At most, they'll switch second-round picks or something to save some money here and there.

Besides, I don't think BC views adding a rookie as a step towards making the playoffs. He's probably glad he doesn't have a pick this year.

This is part of the reason why firing BC isn't enough. The organization needs a complete and total house cleaning from the GM down to the mailroom guys. Honestly, I've said this before, if I came in as the new GM I would fire every senior management person and every middle management person on the basketball operations side. The stink of losing and failure associated with this organization is too strong and too many of the people who have contributed to it are still around. It's not just Colangelo.

This is part of the reason why firing BC isn't enough. The organization needs a complete and total house cleaning from the GM down to the mailroom guys. Honestly, I've said this before, if I came in as the new GM I would fire every senior management person and every middle management person on the basketball operations side. The stink of losing and failure associated with this organization is too strong and too many of the people who have contributed to it are still around. It's not just Colangelo.

Just look at the single season turnaround my beloved Habs have done. Axe the coach. Axe the GM. And voila, a conference leader

Ok let's put some context on that. If it was Noel, I would say sure, draft that guy in a second. But drafting a late lottery pick on a 5 doesn't make sense to me.

You bring up Drummond as an example. He will probably have a better career than Ross, but I wouldn't guarantee it. The thing is the Pistons have the same problem though. As of right now Drummond and Monroe have terrible adjusted +/- when they play together because they're too big and play the same position.

Edit: It's not even that I would be totally against drafting this dude. It's more that the RAps would have to give something up to get a pick for someone that would back up JV.

I hear what you're saying and fully respect your position. But the notion that a perennial draft lottery team without any bonafide all-star has any other need than the best talent available seems ludicrous to me. So even hypothetically speaking that Monroe and Drummond can't co-exist (although it's very early to judge that), don't you think that both of those guys are highly valued trade commodities that can be easily flipped for a 'need'?

I mean the Raps have already done this. Babcock drafted Charlie V, even when the Raps had an all-star PF (Bosh). CV actually had a good enough rookie year to become valuable enough asset to trade for a 'need', TJ Ford, who was considered a pretty good player at the time. Then immediately, they draft yet another PF, Bargs, who can't play with anybody. Still, up until this season, Bargs could have fetched a nice 'need' piece, yet for BC's man crush.

The Terrence Ross pick is so disappointing from the 'drafting for need' standpoint. I recall Casey being interviewed right after the draft. He looked so contented, saying stuff along the lines of, 'Ross is a shooter and we need shooting'. This is in my mind as a watch Ross airball a shot past the rim, and miss wide open threes consistently.